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From beginning through middle to the end, Judaism is about words and people that inspire. We find ourselves most taken by the words of tradition that we inherit – whether stories passed through the generations or the prayers that we witness the elders in our community and in our lives recite. And we look to those masterful individuals who seem to possess a passion for people to transmit that text to us in ways that cause us to notice new relevance in timeless teaching.

One finds stunning examples of both in encounters over the coming days.

First, one encounters powerful words of tradition, for this week’s Torah portion presents us with the creedal statement of the Jewish people and the instructions for Jewish living. Shema Yisrael Adonai Eloheinu Adonai Echad (Deuteronomy 6:4). “Listen, Israel, Adonai is our God; Adonai is One.” These words separated us from our neighbors and gave us a truth to uphold for thousands of years. Though we did not receive them first, these words have been transmitted to us over and over again in our liturgy and in our living.

We read v’ahavta et Adonai Elohecha (Deuteronomy 6:5) and v’shinantam l’vanecha (Deuteronomy 6:7), “Love Adonai your God” and “Teach them to your children” respectively. We are commanded to love, and we are commanded to teach. Surely these lessons resonate with us: that which is important to us must not reside solely with us and must be passed on to successive generations as a sacred gift.

As if simply the encounters with those words during services on Friday night and Saturday morning were not profoundly powerful, we are also presented with the opportunity to learn this weekend with a most inspiring and beloved teacher, Dr. Betsy Stone. Betsy will share her insights on the intersection of sociology and religion. On Friday night during services and on Saturday morning during Torah study, we will learn about others with whom we interact as well as much about ourselves and how – and why – we perceive the world and each other as we do.

Meaningful encounters don’t happen every day, and in most cases, we can’t predict when they will occur. How blessed are we that we know exactly when and where these will occur!

I know where I’ll be, and I hope to see you there.

Shabbat Shalom.